The warrior leans against the doorway, her scent of ocean water and leather filling the air. The atmosphere is tense, the room lit only by the flickering glow of a dying fire, casting long shadows that dance across the rough-hewn walls. The air is cool, carrying with it a slight chill that contrasts with the warmth of the fire. The colors in the room are muted, the deep browns and grays of the wood blending into the shadows.

"Really, Killian?" The sharpness in the women's voice cuts through the silence, adding a rough edge to the tension in the room.

"What? She's nice," Killian replies, his voice soft but defensive, the texture of his words thick with discomfort.

"She's a hostage. You don't socialize with your hostage." Killian rises from the bed, the coarse wool of the blanket brushing against his clothes as he readjusts his shirt, the fabric rustling in the quiet room.

"I told you I wasn't good at this." Killian's boots thud heavily against the wooden floor as he walks to the door, the cool draft from the hallway brushing against his face as he leaves.

"You made him leave," I say, sliding off the bed, my feet touching the cold, rough wood of the floor.

"He had no business here with you. Even less drinking my whiskey with you, Trouble." The rider voice is gravelly, tinged with annoyance as she steps closer, the scent of whiskey still lingering in the air.

"Stop calling me that," I snap, feeling the prickling sensation of irritation creeping up my spine.

"Too bad you don't like it. Because I do, and there's a high risk I'll keep it up just to piss you off. We're leaving tomorrow at sunrise," Phoenix says, her voice low, as she closes the distance between us. Her breath is warm against the cool air of the room.

"Why do you need me? What is my part in this?" I ask, my voice carrying a hint of desperation as I cross my arms, feeling the rough texture of my sleeves against my skin.

""You're the key, Trouble," Phoenix says, her voice steady, as if the words were carved from stone.

"The key to what?" I press, the words sharp as a knife.

"You'll figure it out yourself. Or not. I don't care. Come with me," she commands, her voice firm.

"No," | retort, my tone defiant as I move to sit on the bed, the sheets soft against me.

"Come on. I need you alive, and for that, I need you to eat more than the piece of bread you nibbled at three in the morning," she says, softening slightly, as if coaxing a child.

"I prefer starving to eating with you." I reply, crossing my arms tighter against the chill.

"Don't be childish. Come on," Phoenix urges, her tone now a blend of frustration.

Remember Sorana. Be friendly. Gain her trust, then run. The thought flits through my mind like a whisper in the wind, as the chill of the night air wraps around me.

"Okay. Fine. I'll come," I say, standing up, the decision heavy on my tongue.

"Finally." She mutters as she guides me through the dimly lit hallway to the dining room, the air growing warmer, the scent of food mixing with the lingering smoke, creating a comforting yet oppressive atmosphere.

My mind was racing. My thoughts a storm in my head, trying to figure out how to gain that mysterious women trust.

"I have a question." I asked, playing with my hands, showing weakness.

"What is it? I told you I won't tell you more than you know." The warrior replied, her voice harsh.

"It's not about that. I was just wondering if you were the one who talked on me and dove last night."

Phoenix abruptly stops on her track, turning to face me. "What?"

I raise my eyes to hers, lifting my head to see her better from my 5foot. "Did you talk on me and dove last night."

Her eyes narrowed. "No. I didn't. Wasn't me."

Doubt creeped up in me. "You didn't? Then who was it?"

"It's your problem not mine. Don't ask me."

Who was it? She was the only one that saw us. At least I thought. I had to figure that out.

"I'm trying to be nice; you know. Maybe you could too." Please don't. I said to myself, noticing the giant door in front of us.

"Not my type." Ho thank the gods. I wasn't in the mood for honest social interaction. The warrior opened the door, and the scent of food immediately hit me. I recognized some faces already. Killian was there. Facing him, was the men form earlier I had woke up to, holding the hand of the women that was also there at my wake. They both seemed savage. I stayed there, watching Phoenix take a seat next to Killian.

"Aren't you going too seat?" The tall men said, letting the hand of is presumed lover go. All eyes were examining me, head to toes, taking in the shredded clothes I was wearing. Phoenix rose and walked to me.

"Go to my room and find something else to wear." I nodded and left. I wasn't foolish enough to believe I was unwatched, so I skipped the exploring part and headed to the warrior room.

***

As I walked back to the dining room, I heard glimpses of their conversation and decided to spy.

"No, she doesn't know yet." Phoenix voice resonated trough the wide hallway.

"Maybe you could explain it to her. Maybe she'll cooperate." Killian voice replied.

"Don't be foolish, boy. That girl won't help Phee. She's mad. I heard rumors on the streets about her eating raw to strengthen her power." What the- eating raw meat?! That woman is the mad one. But I still decided to keep quiet. The coldness of that women voice was colder than night, sending shrivers down my spine.

"Isla. Stop this. She does not eat raw meat. She's not a bit crazier than us."

With the shock of this insanity, I lost my balance, and the door opened to me, eavesdropping their conversation. Fuck off.

"Ho, trouble. Turns out you suck at this as much as you do to dagger throwing." Phoenix said, as Killian tried to hide a smile.

"Are you killing me?"

"Hu, no?" I promise you would know if I took the decision to unalive you."

"Dagger throwing?!" The man facing phoenix exclaimed himself. "That girl threw a dagger at you?"

Phoenix took a simp of her wine and spoke.

"Indeed, she did. And she sucks at it."

"I wouldn't have to be throwing dagger if you had given me the choice to leave your fucking boat!"

Killian jaw dropped as he heard me cursing, then whispered something to Phoenix, to which she responded loudly.

"I know that bitch seems useless. She probably would be if it wasn't of the necklace."

"Did you call me a bitch?! Fuck off! You're so selfish! You made my life worst that it already was"

"Enough!" The cold women from earlier says, slamming her fist on the table. "Phoenix. I said I would help you, but I don't have kids running around my house for a reason, and I did not open my door to you so you could act that childish!"

"Ho shut up! Everything you have is here because of me so do not get on my back as soon as I lose my temper!" The warrior replied.

The women stay in shock, muttering something under her breath. As Phoenix added:

"You really know how to make me lose my temper, trouble. Don't do it again. Next time ill have my daggers to throw at your innocent face."

"Fuck off. You won't anyway. You said yourself you needed me." I replied, stepping closer to the table.

"I would like you more with no tongue. It may be the next thing I cut."

"And I'd like you better hanged over a tree. Guess we can't have everything we want." The entire table went silent. All their faces froze at the same word.

Rage. That's what was on the warrior face now. Not the anger from earlier. Pure, savage, rage was deforming her face as rose from her chair so swiftly it went slamming to the wall behind her. I had hit a sensible spot. My instinct told me to run, but I stayed. Which I found out a few seconds later was extremely foolish when the warrior slammed me against the wall, grabbing my throat.

"Take. That. Back." She said, grabbing my collar.

"No." I replied, surprised by my boldness contradicting with the amount of fear I was feeling right now.

She slammed me to the wall again, harder, making my vision blur for a few seconds before remembering my dagger. I reached for it under my dress grabbing the cold handle before slamming the sharp dagger into her thigh. She did nothing more than frown before letting me go abruptly, taking the dagger out of her bleeding wound before leaving the place in fury, slamming the door as she crossed my eyes.

"Fuck you." The women said, before leaving, the tall men following behind her a few seconds later.

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✨ Author's Note ✨

Hey everyone!!! Thank you SO much for the 230 views!!!  I can't even begin to express how much this means to me! Thank you so, so much for reading Beware of Darkness, for following along with Phoenix, Sorana, and all their chaotic, messy, emotional adventures. Your support is EVERYTHING to me, and it motivates me to keep writing and sharing this story that's so close to my heart. Thank you for believing in this story and helping it grow!!

To all my silent readers, my commenters, and my voters—you are absolute LEGENDS, and I'm so grateful for every single one of you. I can't wait to keep bringing this world to life for you. Let's hit that next milestone together! 💖

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See you in Chapter 10! 👀